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Egypt frees two activists, third still detained
 Egyptian authorities freed without charge on Monday two women, a Briton and an Egyptian, detained last month after handing out literature opposing a new term for President Hosni Mubarak, judicial officials said. A third activist arrested with them, Egyptian journalist Ibrahim el-Sahhary, will remain in detention for a few days before Egypt's state security prosecutor decides whether to charge or free him, the officials said. Sahhary, Marwa Farouk and Bahu Bakhsh, a British national of Saudi origin, were detained at a Cairo book fair on Jan. 28. The prosecutor's office ordered their detention for 15 days pending investigation. Human rights groups saw the detentions as part of a government campaign against activists who have become more vocal in criticising Mubarak and the possibility that he will seek a fifth six-year term in office later this year. Over a period of a few days the authorities also detained opposition leader Ayman Nour and nine provincial leaders from the opposition Muslim Brotherhood organisation. Opposition groups are demanding changes to Egypt's constitution, under which parliament nominates a sole presidential candidate — in effect Posted by: Fred 2005-02-08 |
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